ELLENBOROUGH (Sir Edward Law, 1750-1818, leading counsel for Warren Hastings, 1787, Lord Chief Justice of England, 1802-1818 and 1st Baron)

Autograph Letter Signed to 'My dear Lord', Charles Manners SUTTON, (1755-1828, from 1805 Archbishop of Canterbury), as president of the Queen's Council, saying that "on account of the extraordinary heat of the weather, & the very imperfect state of my own health", he is induced to avail himself "of the lately increased number of the Queen's Council. by absenting myself from our Quarterly meeting at Windsor on Saturday ... A single line from your Grace ... shall bring me down, under every risk & inconvenience, & in whatever state I may happen to be - The Queen is not, I apprehend, well enough at present ... otherwise I should have addressed my request to her Majesty", and asking the Archbishop "to make my humble excuse at the first convenient opportunity ...", 1 side 4to, St James's Square, (Thursday) 2nd July light trace of former laying down by blank edge of verso

The Regency Act of 1811 had entrusted Queen Charlotte (1744 - 17th November 1818) with the care of the king's person and household, assisted by a Council, while her son become Prince Regent to the country as a whole. Charlotte's chief aim was to secure continuity should the king ever recover. All five royal doctors were present. The other members of the Council were George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea (K.G., a former Lord of the Bedchamber and founder of the Marylebone Cricket Club), Lord Arden (a Lord of the Bedchamber) and Sir William Grant (an eminent judge). They were joined by new members the Bishop of London (William Howley), the Earl of Macclesfield and Lord St Helens, as mentioned in the present letter.
The Archbishop reported to the Queen at Kew and a public bulletin was displayed at St James's Palace: "His Majesty has been very tranquil through the last month, and continues to enjoy good bodily health; but His Majesty's disorder is undiminished" (The Times, 6th July 1818).

Item Date:  1818

Stock No:  56573      £375

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